State pension is something many Britons are entitled to and it comes as a reward for a long working career and national insurance contributions.
For those who reach the state pension age, they will receive the state pension in the form of a regular payment made by the government.
There are currently two types of state pension which are the new and basic form.
Both can be claimed at the age of retirement, but the state pension age varies between the new and basic state pension.
Why are there two state pensions and which applies to who?
The new state pension came into effect in 2016 and whether pensioners are entitled to this or not depends on their date of birth, according to AgeUK.
Women born after 5 April 1953 and men born after 5 April 1951 will receive the new state pension.
This was introduced to stop confusion for those born before these dates and already receiving the previous pension.
The earliest someone can receive the new state pension is when they reach state pension age.
The full amount pensioners can receive wit is currently £164.35 per week, but this depends on their National Insurance record.
For women who were born before 6 April 1653, or men who were born before 6 April 1951, they will be entitled to the basic state pension.
This payment is still based on previous national insurance contributions.
The full basic state pension is currently £125.95 a week, which applies only to those who have 30 years of national insurance contributions.
If a pension has fewer that 30 years of contributions, they will receive 1/30 of the full amount for each year of contribution.
Those who do not receive the full amount can also increase their pension by making additional payments, using their partner’s national insurance record or continuing to work and deferring state pension until they have worked more years.
The amount paid for state pension is set to change from April this year and some people will be entitled to more.
On April 6, the basic state pension will rise by £3.25, to £129.20 per week.
The new state pension will increase by £4.25 and become £168.60 per week.
Pensioners can also potentially increase their state pension by £1000 by checking whether they are entitled to State Benefits.
This can be checked by entering information on a number of online tools, including entitltedto.co.uk.